Injuries force Stormers to shuffle pack

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are two injury-enforced changes to the Stormers forward pack for the United Rugby Championship encounter with the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

There are three changes in total to the starting line-up that did duty last week in Pretoria for the coastal clash.

Lock Salmaan Moerat (knee) and No.8 Evan Roos (minor rib injury) have both been ruled out, with Adre Smith and Hacjivah Dayimani coming in to replace them in the starting line-up.

The only change to the backline sees Angelo Davids start on the right wing.

Loose forwards Nama Xaba and Marcel Theunissen both come onto the replacements bench, having impressed for Western Province in the Currie Cup.

Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that his team are looking forward to another challenging derby away from home.

“While it was disappointing to lose Salmaan and Evan this week, we are looking forward to seeing what all of the players coming in this week can add.

“Evan picked up a minor knock on his rib, so we are managing him conservatively, while also keen to see what Hacjivah can do at the back of the scrum.

“Angelo, Nama and Marcel have all performed well for Western Province and will be looking to grab this opportunity,” he said.

Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).

Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Nama Xaba, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Dan du Plessis, 23 Warrick Gelant.

Date: Saturday, January 29

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Morne Ferreira

TMO: Quinton Immelman